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My wife and are planning to cycle around Australia on our tandem. But first, we gotta get there from here and here is Ottawa, Canada. My concern lies with transporting the tandem on the various airlines on such a long trip. Although I have brought my "single" bike on various domestic and overseas flights, I have never done so with the larger tandem.
My tandem is not equiped with the S & S couplers - I would likely be able to fit the beast into a box with these approx. dimensions 70 x 30 x 11.5 -
Has anyone out there in "tandem land" had the experience of using the airlines to cart their machine half way accross the world.... Any tips and or advice and sharing of experience is greatly appreciated....
Cheerz
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My wife and and and I are planning a six month tandem tour (our first) of Holland France and Germany starting in April. We will be picking up an tandem in Los Angeles then going to Europe and finally back to Perth Australia via South Africa. I spent days and days on trying to get clarity on the tandem transport by air issue getting different answers from different people in the same airline. Short of it is that the size limitation, as part of your accompanied baggage, is an airline specific thng. We eventually got someone to quote from the Qantas baggage loading manual which stated something along the lines of: standard box provided by the airline is 1.4 metres long but if customer provides own box a length of up to 2.0 metres is OK. Also we eventually decided on the Qantas aroung the world ticket because that allowed us 2 pieces of baggage each at 32kg each as opposed to one at 20kg (plus in cabin one each at 7kg). On this basis we will be able to bring the tandem, trailer and all our camping equipment back on the plane without sea freight or excess baggage charges. Hope that helps. Where do you plan to start your trip and when? Pel.
We plan on a Sept 2005 start from Ottawa, Canada to Perth, Australia. From there we travel east and will take up to a year to travel around the country....giddy-up :)
You mention that some airlines may impose limitations on the size of the luggage/box. Are you saying that if your box exceeds certain dimensions that they will charge a surplus (and) or that if the box is too big that they will out right deny you access???? This is what worries me most. I do not want to be caught halfway around the world, standing at a ticket counter trying to get my connecting flight only to be told that the airline will not accept my bike, causing all sorts of helll... know what I mean Jelly Bean??? :)
Meanwhile, I have only made very, very preliminary flight inquiries and am not certain, as I write, with which airlines I will be travelling... I will do so this week and ask the appropriate questions. Also, I have a friend who works for an airline who may be able to provide some insight... I can keep you posted on what I find....
Travelling with a BOB trailer is probbaly the best. Once the bike has momemtum, you barely notice that you're pulling something.
When do you plan your start for?? When do arrive in Perth. Although cycling the Nullarbor and circumnavigating Australia is apparently becoming more comon, I hear say that tandems are not ofetn seen???
We will be leaving early April (already booked with Qantas) and will be back in Perth around 9 October. Have a look at my earlier thread on international travel with a tandem (non folding). May be additional info for you there.
We took our tandem on Delta Airlines from Denver to Nice and back last summer. Delta supplied a bicycle box that was big enough for a single bike without removing the wheels. The tandem fit after removing the wheels and rear rack. Sorry, I don't remember the dimensions of the box.
Thanks for your input........much appreciated. Seems like this is not a terribly unusual thing to do. Thanks again
I've travelled to Europe from NZ with our tandem. We packed it up in a box, which we disposed of on arrival and then obtained fresh boxes for our return. Spend some time packing carefully to make sure nothing can get damaged.
On the whole our experience was positive. The airlines didn't charge extra and didn't make a fuss about the size of the box.
Ian
We have taken our rigid tandem from Australia to France via UK on two occasions, using Qantas and British Airways.
No hassles at all packing it into a tandem bike box (available free from our local friendly bike store) - wheels and pedals off and packed out with clothing/bubble wrap in the box. We checked the bike box and two back panniers through, and carried front panniers as hand luggage, and were within the weight limit, so no excess baggage charges.
On the first trip, we had a friend line up two normal bike boxes which we taped together to fit the tandem. The second return trip out of Rome was more problematic because we were unaware that the day we were to pack up, it was a public holiday, with absolutely no chance of even buying a box, tape etc - let alone getting anything free. Da Vinci airport was no help at all. In the end, we filched some used plastic from a dumpmaster near the airport, wrapped the bike in it and bound up with tape (we managed to buy some in the end!) No-one at the airport turned a hair! So where there is a will there is a way!
Having said all that, we are contemplating buying a folding tandem, but more because of hassles on trains than on planes.
Good luck!
Many thanks for the re-assuring comments - I will definately make sure the bike is well boxed and protected - must admit to feeling a lot better abouth this !
Cheerz
If you've got a bit of spare cash, you can buy quite a bit of peace of mind. There's a company in Canada called Aerolite, and they sell custom titanium frames with S&S couplers. They're quite reasonable too. If you're going to be travelling for a year, why not get the coupled tandem and have one less worry? We've got the only coupled titanium tandem MTB in Australia that I know of, and we love it. They can set you up for either 700c or 26" wheels, with disc tabs and whatever rear spacing you need. They can mimic your current frame size and geometry, or alter it to suit your needs better. I can send a photo of ours if you'd like.
Cheers,
Brian
my advice is
2 bike boxes for tandem use it concertina like
pedals off turn handlebars
use padding get this from diy stores pipe insulator is the best
tape deraileuerr to the frame
email or contact the airline company to see what their policy is as regards bikes & tandems
fingers crossed once arrive
breathe out :D uncross fingers :D
then bin all boxes or store somewhere
or if a circular tour find a bike shop
buy or scrounge bike boxes
box up again
hope this helps
HI Pel
We are going to be pedling in the Adalaid perth areas. late April, May and Jne. We'll kep an eye out for you.
Cheers Brian & Sue
HI Pel
We are going to be pedling in the Adalaid perth areas. late April, May and Jne. We'll kep an eye out for you.
Cheers Brian & Sue
We built our tandem to go back to NZ, but now we've switched to Tassie, as we haven't been there before. Which Island are you folks on?
We built our tandem to go back to NZ, but now we've switched to Tassie, as we haven't been there before. Which Island are you folks on?
We live in the North Island at Reporoa Half way between Rotorua & Taupo.
Regards Brian & Sue
I'd say you're pretty damn lucky! My wife and I met online, and had our first date in NZ. Spent most of our time in Rotorua, with some time in Taupo as well. Beautiful country. We'll get back there someday.
Expat We will be leaving for out European trip on 7 April - so perhaps another time. Have a good trip in Oz. Pel.
Expat We will be leaving for out European trip on 7 April - so perhaps another time. Have a good trip in Oz. Pel.
I think this must be meant for TWONBIKE, as I'm in NSW, and live here now.
You are right mate. Apologies. But should be able to switch from a reply to original message to check details - What do you reckon. I realised my mistake after sending. Pel
We have had to postpone out trip due to neck and shoulder probs. So we will be around. Let me know if you want to meet up. Either way good luck with your trip. Pel
Hi Pel
Yes we would like to meet. I know it is a long way away at the moment as we aren't planing to be in WA till May. But we would love to have your input on routes and places to viist. We only have one destination we want to go to Margurite River. I don't think I spelt that right. To met old friends.
What sort of weather can we exapect late May to June. Cold, wet and windy like here or something beter.
Regards Brian & Sue
Question: Is shipping the bike in the manufacturer's carton to a pre-arranged receiver/location (recommended LBS, etc.) a viable alternative? Too cosly? Not worth the extra hassle? Rather just get your mitts on your machine right at the airport? Wife and I are in the very preliminary contemplation stages of planning a Euro excursion with the tandem. Just curious...
Hi 2intexas. We are flying Quantas to Adalaid from NZ and sending the bike unaccompained luggage. It means we can send the bike and all the biking stuff. Tent, etc with out having to worry about weight. We drop it in the day before we leave and it should be at Adalaide within a couple of days. We pick it up from the airport. It is costing us $154 US. We can take up to 135lb for that price.
Hope this helps. Cheers Brian & Sue
Ta, B & S. Will consider that option. Guess it varies with the carrier. Why I'm considering DSL, Fedex, etc.
Hi 2intexas. We are flying Quantas to Adalaid from NZ and sending the bike unaccompained luggage. It means we can send the bike and all the biking stuff. Tent, etc with out having to worry about weight. We drop it in the day before we leave and it should be at Adalaide within a couple of days. We pick it up from the airport. It is costing us $154 US. We can take up to 135lb for that price.
Hope this helps. Cheers Brian & Sue
Do you drop it off at the airport, or did you use a 3rd aprty that arranges it for you? If I can have my dad send 135lb of bike parts from the US for under $200, I can stay in my semi-retirement.
Yes we are droping the bike at the airport frieght terminal. We have to have our tickets as proof we are flying as well.
Cheers Brian & Sue
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